Winter is just around the corner and it is about time you took special measures to get your vehicle ready for the winter months. Whether you live in a region of extremely low temperature all-round the year or you drive in an area which receives winter once a year, it is essential to prepare your vehicle for low temperatures.

Here are some of the best tips to get your vehicle ready for the winter months.

Tune Your Car – Check Fluids, Change Oil

Winter brings a list of issues for vehicle owners. Your existing vehicle oil may not have the special qualities to withstand the winter chills. High viscosity car oil is not recommended for winter months as the fluid viscosity goes up in winter months and a high viscosity oil can clog the essential engine parts. Hiring a professional car care expert will help you in changing the car oil to a winter-grade car oil if needed.

Next thing to check after popping the hood of your vehicle is to check the windshield and washer fluid levels. These fluid levels drop during winter months, therefore, it is necessary to maintain a full washer fluid reservoir so you can keep your windshield clear even during snow fall. Experts also recommend adding a deicer or concentrating your windshield wiper fluid for car owners who live in extremely low temperature regions.

Add a Fresh Coat of Wax to Your Vehicle

Winter slushes, snowfall, ice and low temperatures – all lead to a higher concentration of salts and greater chances of chips and dents on your car paint surface. Road salt is used to combat icy roads but it can cause hefty damages to your car which can ultimately lead to corrosion. It is recommended to add a fresh coat of wax to your vehicle, especially the lower parts, on quarter panels, wheels and front grille.

Check and Maintain Tires

Not all types of tires are suitable for winter roads, except the winter tread and all-season tread tires. Tires lose one pound of pressure for every 10 Fahrenheit drop in temperature. Thus, faster pressure loss leads to tire flaccidity which can damage your car handling capabilities. Keep your tires properly inflated according to the instructions given in your owner’s manual. Another good recommendation is to switch to all season tread tires or winter tread tires for maximal grip and good car handling during winter months.

Protecting your Car’s Exterior

Winter is the harshest for your vehicle’s exterior. From headlights and windshield wipers to the car doors and door locks, every part of the car exterior is at a high risk of getting damaged during winter months. Check if your headlights are working properly. Clean the headlight lenses and replace any non-functional light bulbs or LEDs.

The next step is to check your windshield wipers to ensure that the blades are not worn out and working properly. Functional windshield wipers will help you in maintaining visibility during heavy snowfalls, fog and rain during winter months.